At the Daily Planet, Lois is chasing up a new story - when the catering company for her wedding went bankrupt, she noticed that a number of small companies were being bought up by a corporation named Marionette Ventures, and that all of the former owners have skipped town. As Clark arrives, he explains that they need to get Jor-El's permission for their upcoming wedding. At the Fortress of Solitude, Jor-El tells the couple that they must "both understand" and a blinding light envelops them. Huge pillars of ice fall and appear to crush Lois, but Clark's powers have been removed and he is unable to left them. However, Lois lifts the pillars herself, now imbued with Clark's powers.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Meanwhile, Ollie descends into an underground cavern, covered in strange markings. Inside, he finds Kara, who has become trapped inside a powerful forcefield. When Ollie explains that he is seeking the bow of Orion, Kara translates the inscription on the cavern walls - a prophecy of Darkseid's return and the end of the world. She explains that a balance must exist between light and darkness, and that to wield's the bow's power "hands must first right the scales two sides". Since Kara was trapped when she touched Orion's symbol, Ollie touches the opposing Omega symbol, and she is freed.

Back at the Planet, a powerless Clark worries about his situation, but Lois reminds him of Jor-El's decree - his powers will return at sunset, due for 6.58pm. Using her new powers to get ahead on her work, Lois realises that all of the small businesses bought up by Marionette Ventures are along the boundary for the city's underground reservoir. If the corporation were to buy up the one business still holding out, then it would control all of the water rights in Metropolis.

Lois and Clark visit the small clothing store, but on the way she repeatedly zooms off to save people and prevent disasters. When the store begins to close in the middle of the day, Clark encourages Lois to use the power of super-hearing to eavesdrop inside. However, she cannot control the ability and instead hears multiple accidents and people crying for help. Clark tells her that he has to prioritise who he can help and how soon, and Lois eventually tunes the power, overhearing an ugly argument in the store. Zooming inside, she stops a masked thug from menacing the store owner, but when the thug is unmasked, it is revealed to be Courtney Whitmore, a.k.a. Stargirl.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

In the underground cavern, Kara finds another message, indicating that Orion's bow is kept within the inner sanctum. She explains to Ollie that Orion was Darkseid's son, who turned away from his father and swore to serve the light instead. The pair stumble upon another of Orion's tests - two symbols which must be struck simultaneously. Using Ollie's spare bow, Kara joins him in shooting the symbols, and a hidden door opens. However, before she can enter, Kara is summoned by Jor-El, leaving Ollie alone. Back at the Fortress, Kara angrily demands to know why she has been summoned, but Jor-El explains that the bow is Clark's destiny. He tells Kara that she must leave Earth and allow Clark to embrace his destiny, or risk jeopardising the future.

At Watchtower, Tess scans the mind-controlling diode that has been removed from Stargirl. Courtney reveals that Marionette Ventures is controlled by a band of villains - Dark Archer, Roulette, Metallo and Manta - who are planning to control the city's water supply and bring Metropolis to its knees. Tess discovers a signature on the diode - "W.S." - for Winslow Schott, dubbed the Toyman. Lois visits Schott in prison and steals the cell phone that he has been using to control his sinister operation. However, Schott is now aware of the Blur's real identity and warns Lois that his legion of doom are now closing in on Clark. In return for Clark's safety, Lois agrees to return Schott's phone and wear a diode. With Lois now under his control, Schott calls off his minions, but sends her to kill Clark instead.

Meanwhile, Ollie finds bow of Orion, which bears the inscription "The only true power comes from within". He reaches for the bow, but it flies into someone else's grasp - Granny Goodness. The weapon burns up in her hand, as she reveals that Ollie has led Darkseid's prophets to the bow. Using her powers, Granny incapacitates Ollie and seizes control of his mind. Under her control, Ollie begins to dig at an unknown location, uncovering a large chuck of power-sapping gold kryptonite.

As Toyman briefs his legion of doom, giving each of them a different hero as a target, Lois arrives at Watchtower and attacks Clark. As Clark protests his love for Lois, she briefly breaks the diode's control, long enough for the sun to set. With his powers restored, Clark subdues Lois, and removes Schott's diode. Later, Clark visits Schott in his cell and destroys his phone, warning the villain that he will always be around to stop him. Travelling to the Fortress, Clark confronts Jor-El and tells him that the time for his trials is over. He removes a crystal from the Fortress and bids his father farewell.

As the episode concludes, a tearful Kara wishes Clark good luck, putting on a Legion ring and leaving for the far future. As they prepare for their wedding dinner, an upset Lois tells Clark that her recent experience has taught her an important lesson. She is afraid that she makes him vulnerable, and also feels guilty for taking Clark away from the people who need his help. Devastated, Lois tells Clark that she cannot marry him.

What did you make of the penultimate Smallville episode? Sound off below!